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I dropped the folder and scooted back, my hand over my mouth.
Connor’s partner had died. He’d been killed. No wonder… well, Connor’s steel like determination suddenly made sense.
And the deep sadness I could feel in him. The loneliness. His friend had died. His partner. I knew how it felt to lose the only ones you loved.
I stared at the scattered papers and swallowed, realizing this was something I shouldn’t be looking at. Something I shouldn’t see.
Slowly, and carefully, I started to put the box back together.
Connor
My foot felt heavy. Like lead. I wanted to put the pedal to the metal.
For once in my life, I was more than eager to get home. I’d run a couple of errands on the way back from headquarters. Now I was practically chomping at the bit to surprise her.
I dialed the dummy cell I’d left for Casey and tapped my fingers on the steering wheel.
“Hello?!”
I winced. She was shouting over some loud music.
“What are you doing?”
She giggled. Actually giggled.
“Hey, you. Did you see Mason?”
“Yes. He’s fine.” Well, relatively speaking. He was in custody under suspicion of murder. But I would tell her that later, when I could use it to my advantage.
I frowned, as a new song came on. She was playing dance music in the background. “What are you doing?”
“I found your stash!”
I groaned. What stash? Had she got out?
“What are you talking about?”
She giggled and hung up.
Casey had never so much as smiled since I’d met her. Not once. Let alone giggled like a schoolgirl. She was the most serious, not to mention the hottest, girl I’d ever met.
Or maybe you would think so, if you only met her at crime scenes and interrogation rooms.
She must have gotten out. She was at a party. At a friends house. Or with a boyfriend…
Dammit!
Her sexy little ass better be in the cabin. If not, I had tracking on the phone. At least I knew she had the phone with her.
But I had to get home first to drop everything off and log in to check her location. I pushed the speed limit, knowing my unmarked car would be recognizable to other law enforcement.
I went close to ninety the entire way, and was there in half the time it usually took. I stood outside, realizing she was not only home, but she was having a little party.
A very little party.
I stifled a grin when I saw the lights on and heard the music from inside. Whatever she was doing, she hadn’t gotten out.
I was more than curious about what she was up to. I was intrigued.
More than anything, I wanted to hear her giggle like that in person.
I hoisted the bags out of the trunk and left the windows in the back open a crack. I’d be back out in a second. But first-
I peered in the window and froze, my eyes feasting on the girl dancing in my living room. Her body moved with perfect rhythm to the dance music she was blasting on my stereo.
Holy hell, the girl could dance.
She looked like she was in a music video. Her moves were somehow loose and precise at the same time. She was girlishly innocent and yet incredibly seductive.
And just like that, Mr. Boner was back in town.
I wondered what the hell had her in such a good mood. I opened the door. And then I saw it.
What a naughty girl. She had indeed found my stash. My little runaway was drinking my $50 bottle of tequila.
And I wasn’t even mad about it.
I walked over to the radio and turned it off. As much as I was enjoying the show, I needed to get her attention.
“You know, it’s illegal to drink at your age.”
She laughed and smiled at me. My breath caught in my throat. Something was different.
Casey Jones was smiling at me like she meant it.
“Hi.”
I set the bags down on the coffee table. Next to the half empty bottle of tequila. It was a good thing I had another bottle up there.
I was feeling pretty thirsty myself.
“Hi.” I cleared my throat. “How much of this have you had?”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know. I’ve just been sipping it.”
“Since when?”
She cocked her head to the side. “After the talk shows but before the evening news?”
I laughed. The girl told time by what was on TV. She was ridiculous.
It was fucking adorable.
She tilted her head and pointed at the bags.
“What’s that?”
“I got you some stuff. Actually, hold on.”
I went back outside and shook my head. I must be a sucker. Hell, there was no doubt about it at this point.
My peaceful cabin was about to be invaded and it was all for her.
I opened the back door and the dog jumped out, wagging his entire body in joy. I grabbed his leash and the cat carrier that I’d somehow gotten two enormous cats into.
